Weston-super-Mare isthe gateway to glorious scenery, invigorating walks and lovely towns allwithin an hour's drive.
Here’s where you'll find more about what some of our neighbouring North Somerset towns have to offer. You can take a scenic drive around the coastline or explorebybus.
Clevedon
Even if you’ve never been to Clevedon, the chances are you will already be familiar with this charming Victorian seaside town which is on a direct bus route from Weston-super-Mare.
Its magnificent pier, described as the most beautiful in England by Sir John Betjeman, has provided the backdrop for many films and TV programmes. Viewers of ITVs Broadchurch, starring David Tennant and Olivia Coleman, will also recognise it. The final scene of the 1993 movie, The Remains of the Day starring Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson and Christopher Reeve was filmed here and there are many scenes of Clevedon in the Laurie Lee’s Cider with Rosie (1998) and the 2010 film, Never Let Me Go starring Keira Knightley. You may also know Clevedon fromthe BBC’s features on Clevedon’s Sea Swimmers who take a dip 365 days-a-year regardless of the weather.You can find a cycling route of film locations here.
Clevedon has remained largely undeveloped since Victorian times. Its rocky and pebbled shoreline make it a great place to promenade while looking across the Bristol Channel to Wales.
Head to the Hill Road and Alexandra Road areas to discover an interesting array of independent shops and eateries. Clevedon’s Marine Lake swimming and boating area sits alongside Salthouse Fields with its swings, tennis courts, crazy golf, skateboard ramps and miniature railway in the summer.
For nightlife, there are restaurants and pubs aplenty, as well as the famous Curzon Cinema, that still entertains the crowds just as it did in 1912 when its first show raised money for survivors and relatives of the Titanic disaster a month earlier.
But it is the pier, which was partially constructed from railway lines left over from Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Great Western Railway, that is the jewel in Clevedon’s crown. Pop group One Direction chose the pier to film the video for their “You and I” single. It is the only Grade One listed pier in England that you can still visit and it puts on an imaginative array of classical entertainment. You won’t find amusem*nt arcades here, but you will find an award-winning visitor centre, a super café andthe Porthole activity room before you head out on the quarter-of-a-mile boardwalk taking you out to spectacular views. Want to know more? Click here
Clevedon inspired poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Makepeace Thackeray who was a frequent visitor. Named in their honour, Poets Walk climbs over the cliffs offering spectacular views and you can follow the coast path all the way to Portishead.
Not far from Clevedon in Wraxall you will find the National Trust’s Tyntesfield, an ornate Gothic Victorian Revival Grade 1 listed house with extensive gardens and parklands. It’s dog friendly, (dogs on leads) in the gardens but not in the house itself. And nearby to that is the multi-award winning Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, with 12 exciting adventure play areas as well as a large range of exotic and endangered species, including African Elephants, Giraffes, Tigers and Spectacled Bears.
Burnham
Catch the number 20 bus from Weston and you will be transported to Burnham-on-Sea - a town with three lighthouses, Britain's shortest pier and a leaning church.
Only one of Burnham's three lighthouses is working - the nine legged Low Lighthouse - which stands on the beach and has been likened by some to a Punch and Judy stand.
St Andrew's Church is another must-see with its distinctiveleaning tower while, just a short walk further along the promenade is Burnham Pier which is the shortest in Britain.
If you're still feeling energetic, walk along the long sandy beach beyond the Low Lighthouse towards Berrow. If the tide is out you will see the shipwreck of the SS Nornen. It lies just north of St Mary's church in Berrow and is all that remains of the Norwegian ship that went down in a fierce storm in 1897. The ten-man crew, whoall survived, tried to ride out the storm, but couldn't save their ship which was carrying a cargo of turpentine and resin.
Portishead
Portishead has a lot more going for it than just sharing its name with the popular band that took its name from the town. While the Bristol-based band were acclaimed for their music,the town has gone somewhat under the radar despite boasting a pretty seafront, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a swanky new marina and two of the quirkiest lighthouses you could see including Black Nore Lighthouse, pictured below.
.jpg "Towns & Villages near Weston-super-Mare (4)")
Portishead has a charm and diversity all of its own. Originally a deep water commercial port, it has now been converted into The Portishead Quay Marina with expensive yachts, waterside bars, restaurants and apartments. It sitsas the gateway to the Bristol Channel, only eight miles or so from Bristol and offering visitors a completely different take on North Somerset. It’s a powerful statement of pride and new opportunity that’s a far cry from the power station that it grew out of. Around the marina there is even an art trail featuring sculptures paying tribute to the town’s heritage.
On the other side of the headland, which offers views acrossto the two Severn bridges are the Lake Grounds. These attractive seafront lawns include a bowling green, tennis courts, a boating lake and even outdoor gym equipment for you to burn off the pounds you may have put on while visiting the café or picnicking on the grass.
At the edge of the lawns lies the open air lido pool which is heated from April through to the end of October using green energy.
Climbing the steps near the swimming pool will take you to Battery Point, the first of the town’s two bizarre-looking lighthouses. The other, Black Nore, which looks something like a space landing craft can be accessed by taking the coast path from Lake Grounds, throughKilkenny Fields towards Clevedon. Both offer good photo opportunities.
For eating and drinking, Portishead has everything from the well-known chainstofashionable bistros, high end restaurants to fish & chip shops and affordable cafes.
Whatever your reason for visiting Portishead, it is clear that those Somerset favourites The Wurzels got it right when they recorded “The Cabot Song (Big ‘Ead)” in honour of the Bristolian explorer John Cabot with the lyrics “Why don’t you discover Portishead instead?”
Wells
Wells is a popular day trip from Weston. It is England's smallest city and at times you could be forgiven for thinking you have arrived on a film set with its pretty streets, magnificent cathedral and the stunning Bishop's Palace and gardens. Make sure you bring your camera andlook out for the swans in the moat around the palace. The swans have learned to ring a bell for food when they are hungry.
Sand Bay
Sand Bay is a large and unspoilt beach just two miles north of Weston-super-Mare. It is bordered on one side by Worlebury Hill andwoods and by Middle Hope and Sand Point to the North.
Sand Bay itself is a small village often described as Weston's hidden gem. The beach is frequented by horse riders and is open to dog walkers all year round. But there is so much more to explore than just the beach. Head to Sand Point at the north end of the beach and climb up onto the headland for scenery that has to be seen to be believed. Walk out to Middle Hope and Woodspring Priory and perhaps drop down into one of the rocky coves for a picnic. Alternatively walk the other way on one of the many paths through the woods which hug the shoreline back to Weston. If that sounds a little bit like too much hard work hop aboard the number one Coaster bus service which runs as an open top during the summer.
The Mendips – exploring and walking
You can see the glorious Mendip Hills that surround Weston-super-Mare from many vantage points, especially Crook Peak that is the second highest peak in the hill range.
You can find a wide selection of Mendip Walks here. These walks range from circular, short walks to 25 mile walks that are more challenging. Just outside Weston-super-Mare between Congresbury and Yatton you will find the Strawberry Line, a more leisurely walk or cycle ride along a disused railway track all the way to Cheddar Gorge. Find it here.
CheddarGorge and caves
Cheddar Gorge is one of Britain's most spectacular natural landmarks and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The Gorge boasts jaw-dropping cliffs and extraordinary subterranean stalactite show caves, plus many fascinating secrets about our prehistoric ancestors. It is also an international centre for caving and rock climbing.
Lakes and Countryside
Travelling east from Weston-super-Mare you can head to the top of the Mendip Hills passing through some pretty villages such as Churchill, where Sir Winston’s family originated. Head towards Cheddar and take the country lanes into the hills and you will find the super little village of Blagdon andBlagdon Lake. Known for fishing, you can sometimes enjoy a fresh trout straight from the lake to your plate in the local pubs. Just further along you come to Chew Magna with lakes that are famed for viewing water fowl and bird life.
Burrington Combe is a mini Cheddar Gorge, plenty of places to pull over and walk and either partake or watch cavers, climbers and abseilers. Check it out here.
Uphill
The village of Uphill can be reached on foot from Weston-super-Mare or by bus. Its beach is a continuation of the beach at Weston and there’s a marina that offers a sweet little café at the entrance to the Brean Down Way, offering a lovely walk along the river to Brean Down. Uphill has two pubs and a restaurant along with a village shop. On the top of the hill sits St Nicholas Church which has no roof covering its nave. The church commands excellent views from its cliff-top position and there is also the nearby Uphill beacon and viewing tower.
Villages nearby
Just three miles north from Weston-super-Mare is the village of Kewstoke that offers some camping opportunity, some small village stores and an active village society. It leads to the quiet beach of Sand Bay that is popular with dog walkers and horse riders and can be accessed by a lovely walk through Weston Woods with its iron age fort or by bus or car.
Banwell has a Victorian castle and alongside it a narrow country lane that leads to some interesting bone caves on private land that you can visit by pre-arrangement in the summer months. The guided tour includes a folly and country walk along with the history of the caves that contain animal bones from creatures that no longer survive in England.
Further afield, you will find lots of small villages that retain their original character and almost always a country pub.
Further Afield
Venturing slightly further afield, there's so much to explore. Don't miss Glastonbury with its Abbey, stunning Tor, pictured below and its intriguing shops which make it a town like no other and you will soon see that there is so much more to this place than just its famous music festival.
Wookey Hole with its stunning caves and wide range of family activities, including the Dinosaur Grove, maze of mirrors, circus workshops and vintage penny arcade, offers another excellent and varied day trip.
Or you could head for the cities of Bristol and Bath, with its world-famous Roman Baths and discover history, arts and culture.
